I'd say that the fact that all of these mechanisms (even memory, despite its lack of popularity among many gamers today) have found their way into at least one game of the top 100 suggests that its not the mechanism, but its integration that's important.

I agree with Duncan. Cross-correlation between mechanisms shared in a game might be revealing. As would a comparison between popularity of mechanism and position in the table. For example, if RPS is rare but high it might indicate that one or two games can be allowed to succeed, but more would fail, falling down the list.

tl;dr are we seeing strong mechanisms, valuable hybrids or excellent implementations of some that are hard to pull off?

DoctorMikeP.S. you appear to have misplaced 'Roll and Move. "Surprise!"' Surely an oversight!

I agree with Duncan. Cross-correlation between mechanisms shared in a game might be revealing. As would a comparison between popularity of mechanism and position in the table. For example, if RPS is rare but high it might indicate that one or two games can be allowed to succeed, but more would fail, falling down the list.

tl;dr are we seeing strong mechanisms, valuable hybrids or excellent implementations of some that are hard to pull off?

DoctorMikeP.S. you appear to have misplaced 'Roll and Move. "Surprise!"' Surely an oversight!

Thats getting intersting now... One thing I did realize is that has ALOT of those game in the bottom that uses JUST ONE Mechanic, when in the top ones was very rare a game have less them 3 togheter... I do belive thats a intersting thing to add..

Ahh btw, I didnt knew how that GeekGold things works before post this and try to change/pick avatar, realize I need you guys tip me! Any tip is welcome. Sry have to ask.

Thats getting interesting now... One thing I did realize is that has A LOT of those game in the bottom that uses JUST ONE Mechanic, when in the top ones was very rare a game have less them 3 together. I do believe that's a interesting thing to add...

While this is true in itself, there is also a tendency for people to be over-eager to add mechanics to games, and I believe this tendency is higher for higher ranked games.

For example, I recently got 'worker placement' removed from 3 top 200(?) games that clearly did not have the mechanic. In the Year of the Dragon is NOT a worker placement game :P

Bit of a stretch to give both "Auction/Bidding" and "Simultaneous Action Selection" to copycat, since those are both referring to selecting 1 card from your hand to bid for turn order (everyone picks in secret and simultaneously reveals). I really wouldn't call that Action Selection at all.

What would the mechanic in Candy Land be considered? You draw a card and move to that colored spot. Is it "roll and move," "hand management," "pattern recognition," "card drafting," "area movement," or something else?

What would the mechanic in Candy Land be considered? You draw a card and move to that colored spot. Is it "roll and move," "hand management," "pattern recognition," "card drafting," "area movement," or something else?

I would think it's still Roll and Move, just with a unique implementation.

What would the mechanic in Candy Land be considered? You draw a card and move to that colored spot. Is it "roll and move," "hand management," "pattern recognition," "card drafting," "area movement," or something else?